‘You really don’t need to do that. I’m quite capable of paying my own way.’ I kept my head up and tried to ignore the fact that Lorcan had already been witness to the state of my roof. It hadn’t been spoken out loud but I got the clear feeling he knew I couldn’t be wasting any money on indulgent cups of gingerbread steamers or slices of cake, despite how delicious the last ones had been.

‘I know,’ he said, ‘but it’s my fault you’re stuck here instead of us being able to get an earlier flight so I’d prefer it if you used it.’

‘We’ll see,’ I replied. ‘But thank you for the thought. That’s very kind.’

‘Right.’ He glanced at his phone. ‘I’d better head off. If you need me, just call, OK?’

‘I thought you had meetings.’

‘I do. But if you need something, just call. It doesn’t matter.’

I tilted my head at him. ‘If you’re worried about Bod, I won’t be offended if you prefer to take him with you. My only real experience of dogs has been this weekend, so I quite understand if you don’t feel comfortable about it.’

Lorcan let a smile slide onto his face. ‘Yeah, he looks really stressed. Perhaps I’d better take him after all.’ We both looked down to where Bod was now asleep on my lap, pressed up against me with all four feet in the air. I returned the smile. ‘And I was talking about you needing anything, not the dog.’ I opened my mouth and he held up a hand. ‘Not that I’m saying you’re not independent or capable of doing anything and everything yourself, I’m just saying if you need anything, ring me. Even if it’s just to pick up another notebook for you.’ He glanced down at the pile I’d now neatly stacked on the worn mahogany of the coffee-shop table.

‘You can never have enough notebooks.’

‘I’d beg to differ but somehow I think I’d lose.’

‘You would. Obviously.’

‘Obviously.’ He remained where he was.

‘Not that I’m hurrying you out the door or anything, but didn’t you say your meeting was at two? It’s five to now.’

He jolted out of whatever thought he was contemplating. ‘Oh, shit. Right, yeah. OK. I’ll be back as soon as I can.’

‘Don’t worry,’ I replied, half laughing. ‘I’m fine. I can’t go anywhere anyway. You have the tickets.’